Anti-Hero || Leah Clearwater

18 - A fragile little flame

"Somethin' happens when everybody finds out
See the vultures circling, dark clouds"

I Know Places (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

Leah was running fast. She could feel the cold wind caressing her fur, the ground beneath her paws was hard and almost icy. The sky, despite the fact that night had just fallen, was illuminated by the stars, bathed in the soft glow of the full moon. She could almost pretend to be at home, if it weren't for the fact that the smell of the Tuscan countryside was completely different from the woods around the reserve.

And, of course, the vampire following her.

Felix was silent, not that it was unusual, but Leah sensed he was trying to give her some space. Or at least she hoped so.

There was no point in beating around the bush any longer; she had to make a decision as soon as possible. As much as the thought of leaving him made her heart ache, she couldn't continue to ignore the truth: they had no future together. Nadia was right.

Yet, she couldn't suppress the yearning within her. Was it so wrong to want to pretend, even if just for a little while?

She doubted she'd ever have another chance. Imprinting could only happen once in a shapeshifter's lifetime, and Leah was certain she would never experience that kind of connection with anyone else, imprinting or not.

The magnetic pull towards him, the symphony of emotions evoked by his voice, his touch - she was hopelessly addicted to the intoxicating rush that his presence ignited within her.

Leah heard something on her right: the whisper of leaves as some trees swayed. She turned towards the trees and peered into the darkness.

"It's just an owl," Felix's voice was soft, almost a whisper.

Leah turned towards him, her eyes meeting his gaze at eye level in her current form.

His expression was impenetrable, Leah had no idea what he was thinking. Probably that she lost her mind.

"We should get back," he said. "I need to talk to you."

Leah didn't trust herself to transform in that moment, she was not ready yet. She shifted her weight onto her hind legs, adopting a more relaxed posture, silently conveying to him that he was free to speak if he so desired.

Felix, clearly not approving, crossed his arms and frowned. "Aro wants to see us."

Leah stayed still. Why Aro wanted to see them? Did something happen?

Sensing the questions swirling in Leah's mind, he added: "He just want to talk to you, us. I cannot refuse such a request, for you are currently our guest here in Volterra, whether you like it or not. You cannot deny him a meeting."

Our guest.

Leah gulped, her mouth suddenly dry. She needed to shift because she had to ask him a question.

She shifted quickly, the wind tousled her hair, which now reached her shoulders.

"Does he know about - " Us "About the imprinting?"

Among the various things Felix had told her in the previous days, there was also the fact that Aro still didn't know about their imprinting. Or rather, he hadn't grasped the magnitude of the event and its significance, especially for her. He was probably convinced that Felix kept her as... a pet, nothing more.